Thursday, September 19, 2024 Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, is marking two decades of service to India this month. The airline first introduced flights to India’s commercial hub, Mumbai, on September 26, 2004, followed closely by New Delhi on December 1, 2004. Over the years, Etihad’s Indian network has grown significantly, with recent additions of routes to Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Jaipur earlier this year.
This brings the total number of destinations Etihad serves in India to 11. In 2024, Etihad also increased its seat capacity between Abu Dhabi and India, adding more flight frequencies to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Now, with over 50 additional flights per week compared to last summer, passengers benefit from improved departure options and greater flexibility for connecting flights.
Celebrating the milestone, Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “India is a strategically important market for Etihad and we’re extremely proud to be celebrating 20 years of flying to this incredible country. When the young and ambitious Etihad launched flights to Mumbai in 2004, it was Etihad’s 8 th global destination and since then we’ve expanded to 80 destinations with a vision to offer 125 destinations by 2030. “This year, we are proud to offer Indian travellers a greater number of flight options from 11 gateways across India making Etihad the leading airline for connectivity for Indian travellers to the Middle East, Europe and North America.
” Etihad Airways has kicked off its 20th-anniversary celebrations by introducing the Airbus A380 on the Mumbai-Abu Dhabi route, operating three times weekly until the year’s end. Indian passengers can now experience the luxury and comfort of this iconic double-decker aircraft when flying from Mumbai. To mark the occasion, Etihad is offering up to 20% off on flights to and from India, exclusively for bookings made through etihad.
com. The sale runs from September 19 to 21, 2024, for travel between October 1, 2024, and March 15, 2025. Travellers taking advantage of this promotion can book amazing fares to destinations worldwide, including Boston and New York in the U.
S., the romantic city of Paris, and the cultural hub of London. Plus, those passing through Abu Dhabi can enjoy a complimentary two-night stay as part of Etihad’s year-round Abu Dhabi Stopover program when booking via the official website.
Etihad’s deep commitment to the Indian market is evident through its strategic partnerships. Earlier this year, Etihad became the Official Sponsor of the Chennai Super Kings, one of the most prominent teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The partnership featured fan engagement activities at every match, including distributing yellow airplane-shaped whistles and featuring cricket legend MS Dhoni in Etihad’s TV commercials.
In further celebration of its 20-year milestone, Etihad also announced its new role as the Official Front-of-Shirt sponsor for Mumbai City FC, a top football team that has claimed two Indian Super League titles and two ISL Cups. Additionally, Etihad welcomed Bollywood superstar Katrina Kaif as a brand ambassador. She starred in several campaigns highlighting the airline’s exceptional guest experience, with her presence in Etihad advertisements resonating with millions of viewers globally.
This summer, Etihad introduced locally sourced catering for flights departing from India, offering passengers regionally inspired cuisine. Collaborating with local chefs and caterers in its 11 Indian destinations, the airline now serves menus featuring fresh ingredients and authentic local dishes. Passengers flying from Delhi can indulge in a menu celebrating the nation’s culinary heritage, with a mix of Mughlai, Punjabi, and street food flavors.
Those departing from Mumbai will enjoy traditional Maharashtrian cuisine, known for its bold spices. Similarly, guests flying from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Kerala can savor regional delicacies unique to each destination. This move not only elevates Etihad’s onboard dining experience but also highlights the airline’s commitment to supporting local economies and job creation through its partnerships with local suppliers.
In its continued effort to cater to the Indian market, Etihad became the first foreign airline to launch a Hindi-language website, making bookings more accessible to Hindi-speaking travelers. Onboard, Etihad offers a rich selection of multi-language entertainment, featuring the latest Bollywood blockbusters, music videos, and TV series. Indian films are available in various languages, including Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, and Marathi.
Etihad employs over 10,000 people from 140 different nationalities across its Abu Dhabi headquarters and global offices. Of these, approximately 1,700 employees are of Indian origin, filling a range of operational and commercial roles. This diverse workforce reflects the significant contributions of Indian professionals living and working in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
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